Friday 27 January 2012

BENEFITS OF MILK

Think of a complete health drink and the first thing that come to our mind is MILK ! Its benefits are numerous and valuable because of which we are often advised to drink at least one glass of milk everyday.

What are its benefits?
It contains almost all nutrients except Vit. C and Iron.

1.Protein source: It is complete source of protein, infact the best for vegetarians (Egg is also complete protein source). Thus, it is helpful for proper growth and maintenance of body.

2.Milk also provides Calcium. Calcium and Vit. D protect the body frombone loss. Calcium and phosphate together provide bone strength. Calcium also prevents migraine, headaches, pre-menstrual syndrome etc.

3.It provides good dental health by preventing tooth decay.

4.Vit. A present in milk provides immunity and prevents poor vision.

5.Mixing Isabgol with warm milk helps relieve constipation.

6.Potassium in milk is helpful for heart and maintains blood pressure.

What are the products of milk?
Various products can be made from milk such as curd, butter, cheese, ghee, ice cream, paneer etc.

Who should not consume milk?
Those having lactose intolerance and milk allergies should avoid taking milk.

Wednesday 25 January 2012

BENEFITS OF BANANAS

The sweet, ripe, yellow, easy-to-eat fruit has many health benefits.

Before stating its benefits, lets discuss its types first :
1. Red Bananas: Slightly sweeter than yellow bananas, they taste somewhat like raspberry.
2.Baby Bananas: The smallest and sweetest bananas.
3.Cavendish Bananas: They are used in baking and making fruit salads and are very popular in U.S.
There are many other types.

What are their benefits?
They are very nutritious, cheap and easily available.

1.Energy booster: This benefit of bananas make them loved by many athletes. They contain three tpes of sugars- sucrose, fructose and glucose.

2.Constipation: They are high in fiber that help in bowel movements, thus relieving constipation.

3.Blood Pressure and Stroke: They are very high in potassium and low in salt. potassium helps in balancing body fluids and electrolytes in body, thus regulating blood pressure. They also reduce the possibility of stroke.

4.Diarrhoea: They contain electrolytes like magnesium, potassium, calcium that are important for maintaining body fluid level, thus preventing dehydration. Thus, they are helpful in diarrhoea.

5.Anaemia: Bananas are also rich in iron, thus helps in formation of haemoglobin, So, can be given to those who are anaemic.

6.Depression: They help in improving the mood. This benefit is because of presence of an amino acid- tryptophan in them that is converted into serotonin by the body.

7.Hangover: Make a banana milkshake mixed with honey. It calms the stomach and depleted blood sugar levels are built up. Also the body is rehydrated.

8.Ulcers: Their softness and smoothness make them very useful in intestinal ulcers.

9.Smoking: They can help people quit smoking! as they contain Vit. A1, C, B6, B12, magnesium and potassium that helps body to recover from withdrawal effects of nicotine.

How to store bananas?
They are very soft, thus can be bruised easily. They should be kept at room temperature. Kept in refrigerator, their skin turn brown but the fruit will be edible.
In order to ripen bananas, they can be wrapped in newspaper or kept in brown paper bag with an apple.


Sunday 22 January 2012

BENEFITS OF AMLA

This small, green-coloured, sour, sweet fruit can do wonders to one's health !
Also known as Indian Gooseberry, it is a main ingredient in Chyawanprash.


What are its benefits?
It is very rich in Vit. C (20 times more than orange juice). Also contains protein, fat, carbohydrates, fibre, minerals and iron.


Medical Benefits:
It is useful in various diseases like diabetes, asthma, dyspepsia, flatulence, peptic ulcer, many skin diseases, haemetemesis (blood in vomitus), anaemia, diarrhoea and cardiac pathologies.


Cosmetic Benefits:
It is useful for making skin and hair healthy.


For hair:
It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It is one of the excellent conditioner for hair.
It can penetrate the scalp and nourishes the hair from its root.
It is useful in alopecia, dry hair and split-ends.


For skin:
It gently exfoliates and cleanses the skin by removing the upper dead cells.
It brightens complexion and removes pimples.
It is a natural astringent and tones the skin.


How to use it?


For hair:
Mix amla powder with adequate amount of water. Leave overnight and wash hair in morning.


For skin (face mask):
Mix amla powder with wam water and apply this to clean face. Wash after 20-30 mins.


As a health drink (Amla juice):
Cut the amla and grind it with one glass of water. Filter it and sugar or honey to the juice.


Who should not take it?
As amla contains oxalic acid, so those having oxalic stones should avoid taking it.

Monday 16 January 2012

BENEFITS OF APPLE

"An apple a day keeps the doctor away"
This is truly justified by the fact that it has lots and lots of health benefits.
I myself am very fond of apples that has urged me to write about it.
It makes a delicious part of "Chaat" (fruits mixed with spices).
Its sweetness and crunchiness make it loved by everyone !


Coming on to its benefits,
How healthy is an apple??
1. It is rich in vitamins and minerals.
Vitamins such as Vit. A, Vit. B1, Vit. B2, Vit. B6, Vit. C and folate are present. Vit. C is a powerful antioxidant that helps body develop protection against many infections and remove free radicals from the body. B complex vitamins help in metabolism (as co-factors) and synthetic functions in body.
Minerals- Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Iron and Zinc are present.
2. It is rich in fibre content, thus helps in digestion.
3. A study says that it helps in lowering cholesterol.
4. Besides these, they are useful cosmetically. Apple pulp on face helps treat acne and on eyelids reduce eye strain.


How to "maintain" its healthiness?
Apples, like other fruits, should be kept inside refrigerator and be eaten within 5-6 weeks. If any apple starts to decay, remove it, else others in touch with it, will also do the same.

Saturday 14 January 2012

HOW HEALTHY IS EGG?

hello :)
i m glad to share some knowledge about eggs..


Most puzzling question regarding egg : 
Is egg a vegetarian or non-vegetarian?
 This is the question puzzling many of us !
I myself didn't use to eat eggs thinking i should not as i am a vegetarian. But now i know eating eggs don't make you non-vegetarian ! 
Its actually apt to use the term "ovo-vegetarian" for those who consume eggs but does not eat animal flesh of any kind i.e meat, fish etc. 


Is it healthy to consume eggs?
Yes,of course ! It is the most complete protein one can have in his diet. By complete protein, it is meant that it contains all the nine essential amino acids needed by the body in right proportion. Egg protein is the standard against which the quality of other proteins is compared.
Egg contains all the nutrients except carbohydrates and Vitamin C.
Minerals such as Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron, Zinc and other trace elements are present.


Nutritive Value:(for 60 gms of egg)
Protein- 6g
Fat- 6g
Calcium- 30mg
Iron- 1.5mg
Energy- 70kcal

But what about Cholesterol in egg?
Yes, it does contain cholesterol also. The cholesterol content is 250mg/egg. But it does not matter because cholesterol is formed in the body endogenously and is controlled by what is known as feedback mechanism.
But, a reduction in intake of eggs is advised for those at risk of CHD (Coronary Heart Disease).


In what form should the egg be consumed?
It must be cooked before consumption. Boiling destroys 'avidin', a substance which prevents the body from obtaining biotin. (biotin is a B-complex vitamin.)


What all can be made from eggs?
Omelette
Egg Curry
Boiled Egg
Poached Egg
Egg toast
Egg biryani etc.


So, enjoy eggs in various forms.
 "Sunday ho ya Monday, roz khao ANDE" ;)




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